Senior / Principal Landscape Planner

We are seeking a talented and experienced Landscape Planner to join our friendly, established landscape planning team within LUC. With established teams in London, Bristol, Manchester, Sheffield, Edinburgh and Glasgow, our team of nearly 50 landscape planners and managers supports a broad range of projects and an established client base with projects at local, regional and national levels.

Our award-winning Landscape Planning team is passionate about our environment and we are proud of the positive impact we make. We have an expanding portfolio of challenging and high-profile projects including the design and assessment of renewable energy projects (onshore and offshore wind, solar and battery storage), routeing and assessment of strategically important electricity transmission infrastructure, landscape character and sensitivity assessments and landscape designation reviews, along with research projects for statutory bodies.

We are enthusiastic about influencing the wider conversation and policy agenda, and promoting positive outcomes for nature, people and places. We draw on the skills and experiences of colleagues in other disciplines including ecology, historic environment, landscape design and planning to fulfil these aims.

The role involves the development and application of strategies, policies and plans to create successful environments, in both urban and rural settings. You will work closely with both local authority and private sector clients, operating at a range of contexts and scales, and on all types of development, advising and managing change which may affect the landscape.

Typical projects include managing, coordinating and contributing to detailed assessments and studies including:

• Landscape and visual assessment
• Landscape character assessments
• Landscape sensitivity studies
• Research projects for statutory bodies such as Natural England and Natural Resources Wales

The role will include, but is not limited to:

• Managing and/or assisting with the delivery of a wide range of projects.
• Liaising with clients, and internal and external team members
• Providing high quality project outputs (including written reports) and ensuring the deliverables meet our highest quality standards.
• Contributing to tenders and pricing exercises and driving the development of our growing portfolio of work

This role not only includes the opportunity to work on an exciting range of dynamic projects but also training and development opportunities. LUC encourages professional development, supporting team members to chartered membership of their chosen professional body.

The role includes the opportunity to share and participate actively in the management and ownership of the business through the Employee Ownership Trust, which places full ownership of the company with the employees.

This position is based in LUC’s Bristol office. We work in a hybrid model with people being in the office a minimum of two days per week. There will also be travel required to visit sites, client offices and other office locations.

A full‑time role is based on 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday). However, LUC has a strong track record in flexible working, and we have been recognised for our flexible working culture, so we are happy to discuss a range of flexible working options for this role including part time hours (minimum 30 hours per week) if desired.

Experience and qualifications

We are seeking an experienced landscape planner to work on an exciting range of projects across the UK. The successful candidate will have experience of landscape architecture/planning with a local authority or consultancy. You will possess skills which include high quality reporting, presentation, verbal and written communication.

The successful individual will work closely with more senior members of the team who will act as mentors and provide support, guidance and training, along with having the opportunity to work on a range of challenging and rewarding projects. You will be self‑driven, with an enquiring mind and determination to succeed in a fast paced and diverse role.

• Educated with a relevant Landscape qualification at degree or post graduate level or a blend of knowledge and qualifications reflecting a similar level of expertise
• Chartered Membership of the Landscape Institute or be working towards it.
• Experience of a range of landscape planning projects. More experienced candidates will have worked on a range of projects at different scales and complexities, acting as project manager.
• An organised and efficient approach to working to tight deadlines
• Ability to manage and prioritise own time, whilst working alongside more senior colleagues.
• Excellent report‑writing and editing skills
• Strong communication skills and a proactive approach to building relationships with colleagues and clients
• Proficiency in the use of computer software to prepare high quality reports (Including Word and Excel)
• A willingness to travel around the UK to visit sites (travel costs would be covered by LUC)
• A driving licence
• Experience of undertaking field work and competent photography skills

Experience in multiple of the following areas:

• Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment (LVIA), Townscape/Seascape and Visual Impact Assessment, Residential Visual Amenity Assessment, Aviation Lighting Impact Assessment etc.
• Landscape Sensitivity Assessment (LSA)
• Green Infrastructure Strategies
• Assessment and management of protected landscapes
• Planning for future landscapes and responding to climate change
• Landscape design principles and guidance

In addition to:

• Knowledge of LVIA viewpoint photography and visualisation production process
• Experience of working with renewable energy infrastructure and wind farm design software
• Experience of working on Nationally Significant Infrastructure projects and involvement in landscape and visual support for Development Consent Orders
• Experience with consultation and engagement

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

LUC is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we actively encourage applications from under‑represented groups. We value the differences, needs and contributions a diverse workforce represents, and we strive to embed equality, diversity and inclusion in all our people related activities.

About LUC:

LUC is an award‑winning environmental consultancy celebrating 60 years of impact. Since 1966, we have been dedicated to a single mission: delivering better futures for nature, people, and places.

As an independent, employee‑owned business, we combine a rich heritage with a forward‑looking approach. Our multidisciplinary teams – spanning planning, impact assessment, landscape design, ecology, and geospatial services – collaborate to tackle complex land‑use challenges across the UK.

From restoring historic environments to driving climate resilience and nature recovery, we are proud of our past. But in our 60th year, our focus is firmly on the future and driving positive change for the next generation.

Our Mission is to deliver better futures for nature, people and places.

Just like our founders, we’re dedicated to leaving this world in a better place. And we believe we have the power to create a positive legacy through all our projects. We do this by guiding our clients, as well as influencing national and local policy.

Of course, we recognise that change is inevitable. But we also recognise that cities, towns and landscapes of the future must work to help nature recover and to create a fairer society for all. We are committed to creating beautiful, inclusive places that support the health and wellbeing of the people and environments impacted by such inevitable change.

Our Values are what make us.

They reflect our heritage, express the attitudes of our people, and capture what our clients tell us we’re like to work with. Our values are timeless, informing the actions of every generation of LUC.

They guide our big thinking as much as our daily working lives – from the projects we pursue, to how we manage people, to how we resolve conflicting interests.

• We act with professionalism and integrity
• We have the courage and openness to lead
• We collaborate to achieve shared goals
• We act with passion, insight and creativity

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